Aizen's words hung in the air.
Shigure's eyes shifted. Didn't respond.
That spiritual pressure put real pressure on him.
The Hōgyoku's evolution... truly formidable.
Aizen had transformed.
Aizen raised his blade slowly. Pointed at Shigure.
"Of all my opponents, none have earned this admiration."
"Even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto falls short."
"But you're different... Segawa."
He paused. Locked eyes with Shigure.
Invisible blades clashed.
A faint smile appeared:
"Exceptional spiritual pressure. Supreme blade work. Calm mind... and a nearly perfect soul."
"All of this created you."
"I acknowledge you as the strongest."
His voice carried to those falling below.
Expressions changed.
But no one denied it.
Against Aizen with Kyōka Suigetsu and the Hōgyoku, only one person stood at this level:
Segawa Shigure.
They wanted to help. But Aizen's spiritual pressure made everything clear.
They couldn't participate.
Unohana looked up. Expression complex. Whispered:
"You must win..."
"...Shigure."
The breeze carried her words away.
...
Aizen's blade still pointed forward:
"Time won't allow delays. After killing you, I'll proceed to the real Karakura Town..."
"Create the Ōken. Open the gate to the Soul King's Palace."
"So I won't hold back."
"In response—"
"Show me your Bankai."
Shigure lowered his eyes. Raised his right hand.
Air flowed rapidly. Transformed into particles. Condensed into a silver blade.
He looked at Aizen. Smiled faintly:
"Our opinions align for once."
"I already intended to."
Aizen tilted his chin. Smiled:
"Then begin."
Wind stopped. Silence fell.
Shigure raised his hand. Held his Zanpakutō horizontally.
His spiritual pressure rose.
Golden lightning danced in his eyes. Like ignited pupils.
Behind him, air shrieked violently.
Transparent storm wings formed. Fused with his back. Spread wide.
Aizen's eyes narrowed.
He'd prepared mentally. But seeing two different powers manifest simultaneously still surprised him.
Shigure's spiritual pressure surged!
Beneath his feet, air currents and lightning mixed. Surrounded his body.
Everyone below held their breath.
Aizen lowered his blade. Watched intently.
Shigure exhaled gently. A small thunderstorm formed.
He lifted his eyes.
No emotion remained. Only ancient stillness.
Dragon's eyes. His eyes.
His voice emerged:
"Bankai."
BOOM!!
Storm and lightning exploded outward!
His spiritual pressure surged again!
Aizen's eyes sharpened. A barrier blocked the impact.
The force split sideways. Demolished every building behind instantly.
The sky transformed.
Endless black clouds covered everything. Golden lightning blazed within.
They didn't vanish. Remained burning.
Like golden claws tearing the sky. Dividing clouds into sections. Storm currents twisted and exploded.
Suffocating to behold.
Aizen's pupils contracted:
"Just the release created this...?!"
He looked at Shigure.
Shigure gripped the silver blade. Spiritual pressure surged.
Suddenly, he released it.
The blade exploded. Transformed into white and gold particles.
They collided, mixed, shot sideways. Gathered before both hands.
Condensed rapidly. Formed two identical blades.
Storm on the left. Lightning on the right.
Shigure extended both hands. Gripped both hilts. Spiritual pressure erupted.
He lifted his eyes:
"Bankai: Azure Star Candle Dragon."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!